Nemi says what many others should.

Another teenager has been driven to suicide. I was asked to speak for those left behind at his school. To say a few...

Posted by Nemi.no on 3. august 2015

2 years, one post

yeah it's been 2 years since I last made a blog.

What's happened in 2 years you ask? Well, I've become 2 years older. Not necessarily 2 years wiser in any way.

I've kept my All Time Low interest, met them twice, and last week I saw them in concert twice too, one in Oslo and one in Norrköping, Sweden, at the Bråvalla Festival. Where I also saw quite a few other bands and artists, but that's not important.

Here's a video I shot at Bråvalla, front row.




Other that that, what have I done over the past 2 years? Well, I've got sort of a formal promotion at work, but I basically do the same job as I did when I went into this position 5 years ago. Only difference is that I now get paid to do my job.

We've been to the States 3 times since my last blog, twice to LA/NY/Vegas, once to Florida, and one of the trips we also went on a cruise to Mexico AND a day trip to Canada.

Had a couple of trips to London, and also a few other places, including Krakow in Poland, to see Auswich and Birkenau. Truly a place worth visiting for everybody who ever thought that what happened between 1940-1945 was worth forgetting. It's not.

So it's been eventful years, just not blogworthy.

I'll put a few random holiday shots in here at the bottom, just because I got a new hard disk yesterday, and Bjarte had put some old holiday pics on there.

Hope you enjoy!

Pretending to be rock'n'roll with fake tattoos

Having a look around Times Square

Pretending to be scared of T-Rex on Toys'r'us

Sunset over Manhattan

Idiot at Coney Island

Idiot in Central Park

Windy Hoover Dam

Balancing on the edge of Grand Canyon

Idiot on top of Vegas

View from the Getty in LA

The Hollywood Sign

No caption neccessary...?

Enjoying the Pacific Ocean, on cruise towards Mexico

Surfer dude on Santa Monica beach

Product placement.

Guess where?

Fan-tastic

One of my favorite places ever, Niagara Falls

Idiot watching a polynesian figure

Idiot on May 17th in Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Florida

Florida 2015

(aka the evolution of Lisa's hair color and body shape)

Well, that's it for now, see ya in 2 years! haha.

Oh, before I forget...

The last one of course!

Concert summer 2013

Hello!

So far 2013 have had its ups and downs, as life usually does.
Will not talk about work, because that's not blog-material in any way. For anybody particularly interested, send me a message, and I'll fill your head will all sorts, but it's not very entertaining.

What IS entertaining on the other hand, is getting to discover new things, have fun, see the world and listen to great music and cool bands. I can't say I'm a big music geek in any way, anybody who knows me can validate that.

But when I find stuff I like, I tend to listen to it until I know it by heart, and then some. In 1988 Smokie came to my home town, and I saw my first concert ever. Yeah, Smokie, you know.. Living next door to Alice-Smokie. At my little town, far up in the north of Norway.
My uncle had their LP, and me and my cousin kept listening to Living next door to Alice until you could see the wear and tear on the record. I was 12, guess that was expected from me at the time.

This summer on the other hand, I've been re-visiting my youth, and have seen Bon Jovi in concert for the 2nd time. Before that my man and me had a weekend in Oslo and saw Dara O'Briain's stand up show, pretty hilarious, if you ask me.

Then, 2 weeks ago or so, we went to Oslo (again, plenty of travel for us this year.. Oslo is a 1h 45min flight away), to see Green Day.
I've always liked Green Day, especially since American Idiot, but also their earlier stuff. I'd read that Kaizer Chiefs was to be their warm up, I didn't know anything about them, I always confuse them with Kaizers Orchestra, a Norwegian band.

But as I realized, they had another band first, All Time Low. I had never heard of them, but immediately I heard it was my kind of music. They were firecrackers on the stage, and I decided to remember the name, and search them up on Spotify once I got home.
Unfortunately it took about 3 days before my hearing was back to normal after the concert, but as soon as the tinnitus had worn off, I looked them up. And wasn't disappointed.
Ever since, that's all I've been listening to. Here's a sneak peak, as you see, they're goddamn funny too!






And tomorrow I'm off again, a new concert experience once more. This time I'm bringing my oldest niece with me to Gothenburg in Sweden, to see Robbie Williams, and to go to the Liseberg amusement park. She's super ready, so I hope she'll like the experience!

That's the last concert I've got planned for this year, that's a bit sad really. Hope there'll be more to come!

Nana

Today my nan would have had her 92th birthday. Unfortunately she isn't around any longer, she passed away in 2007. I miss her a lot, we had a great connection, and I could tell her everything. Being no spring chicken, my childhood pictures are a bit faded. But I managed to scan in a quite yellow 70'ies photos of us. Miss you mor! happy birthday, wherever you are.

Eurosong 2013

This years Eurovision song Contest is coming at us again this week.. So, true to tradition I will post this years Norwegian entry. Enjoy! I feed you my love - Margaret Berger

One year, no blogging

It's been a blog free year, unintentional, but that's a fact. Guess my non-topic-blog never will make top gazillion even.. But that's ok. Stuff have happened of course, no big things, just life in general. Mostly working, a bit time off, a little bit traveling, have seen new coutries, and am collecting new countries too. Here is a view from my last new country: Albania (city: Saranda)

It was last august/september-ish, can't quite remember. Maybe I should start writing about my travels, guess that's an interest of mine. Last time I was abroad, I was in London, to see Robbie Williams in concert. Pretty cool concert..

I tried to photograph in concert, but didn't have many good shots. So here is the arena instead.

Things I have been spending my time on the last few months, is snow. But now it seems like winter finally is letting go. 2 weeks ago vs right now:

Hoping summer will come soon now!

When I am gone

In a few days now it's been a year since horrible things happened. I don't think I will need to specify.
Apparently the nearest days are jubilee for other passings too.
of course it is sad. Of course it's ok to grieve.
what isn't ok, is worshipping the grief instead of celebrating the life that was.

I wouldn't have wanted that. So, for now until as long as Blogger is in function, I have my living will here.
It is not about money, books, clothes or other valuables. But;
The day it's my time to go just remember, don't count the days I've been away. Celebrate the days I was around.
Yours Truly.

Embracing the days of our lives

This is a story about an odd couple.
They had nothing in common, except where they lived, and that they had the same grandparents. They both lived away from home, in a big city far far away.

She was quite a bit younger than him.
One day she had bought 2 tickets to a concert she had dreamt about seeing for years and years. She had to travel quite a bit to get to the arena, booked flights, a little, cheap hotel room, and looked very much forward to it. Because it was a famous artist, and she expected her friends to want to go too, she didn't even begin to worry about who would go with her.

The city was so far away that she had to bring a passport.
First she asked her best friend to go with her. Her friend didn't want to travel that far, because she had a little baby. She asked her other friend, she didn't want to go. She asked her co worker, she was getting married the weekend after, and couldn't. Time went, and nobody wanted to go with her to the amazing concert.

Then she thought, why not ask my cousin? So she did. He wanted to go!

He didn't have flight tickets to the city far far away, but had a van, and drove for hours and hours to join her. He didn't have a hotel room, so she let him borrow the top mattress of the tiny bed, so he could have a bit of roof over his head. The hotel room was so small that the mattress almost didn't fit the floor. But that was ok.

They went out to see the big big city, far far away. It was a lovely place. They had nice things to eat, and even went to an amusement park. The park was very green. And had lots of exciting rides. For hours and hours the odd couple went on almost all the rides. For so long that they nearly forgot to go to the great concert.

Night came, the concert started, and it truly was an amazing one. They both danced, they sang and smiled. Time went, and once the concert was over, he drove back home, for hours and hours and hours. She went back to the hotel and had a few days by herself in the big big city, far far away. But it was all a very nice memory, and stood in her heart forever.

Years went by, they grew up, and didn't see much of each other. Then one night she recieved a text from him, "want to meet the best person in the world?" So she went to meet him. He had found a girl he had fallen in love with, and was very happy. They had a few drinks, and had yet again, a lovely night. Next summer she found out that he had married the girl.

On to the year after that again, she was going to a free concert in a park in the city in which she lived. First she went for a meal at a burger place, and in line she saw a familiar face. It was her cousin. He didn't seem happy. But she didn't comment this, his wife was there, as was some other relatives. Again, concert was nice, but not as great as the one they saw in the city far far away.

Next she heard, he had gotten a divorce from the girl. And he was yet again happy. He started on a degree, and looked forward to getting a more stable job. He fell in love again. All was good.

Then he went with his new love on a short bank holiday break to her home area. He loved riding his bike. And went for a ride. The roads were high standards, but quite a few tunnels. He did all the right things. And didn't see the big red van. The van apparently didn't see him either. And when they found him, his soul was with the angels.

She was visiting his parents and siblings when the priest came and told them. And couldn't believe what had happened. All those nice memories, and now she was the only one to keep them in her heart forever.

Rest in peace dear Cousin.

Darkness

I've got this darkness inside
And just can't see
How it can brighten up
Always trying to be
Someone cooler, on top of things
Happy and nice
But this darkness is 
My secret vice

All alone
In crowded rooms
Eating me up
Like a starving vulture
Guess it is
My human nature

Searching for something
But don't know why
Or what
Maybe I'm trying to
Find me

Countdown

I'm counting down to my holidays.

Today I have 3 more day at work before my 2 week break. My suitcase is out, summer clothes packed, just need to put some more in there, once the laundry is ready. Looking forward to it sooo much!

Ouzo...
Greek salad...
Sun...
Heat...
Wine..
Icecream...
And a happy Lisa.

Because I need to charge my batteries, somewhere without phone reception and restricted internet access. And just a good book next to the swimming pool, with a fully charged ipad boosting into my ears. Bliss...

I don't tan well, but will certainly make up for the lack in tan in charged batteries.

Paradise.

Numb...

I've been away on a little holiday, and was thinking of putting up a blog to tell about what happened there. Then something else came up. The horrible terror and shootings here in Norway. So all those holiday memories faded like it happened decades ago.

I tried to find a video or song to post instead, but couldn't find any that fitted.

So instead I'll just say.. Rest in peace, all those affected. And my thoughts are prayers are with the friends and families of each and everyone of the victims. No words can describe the sadness.

On this time we're all family.

Expectations of tomorrow

Again, it's been a long time since last time I blogged.

Stuff happens in my life of course, some things more important, some less. Like, I've gotten older. So now I look like this.

Or was it like this? I can't quite remember.

Tomorrow is a big day in more ways than one. Eurosong wise it's the first semi final, and Norway's up with Stella Mwangi. I hope we'll make it through to the finals on saturday, it has to. I think it will though, have heard the other songs, most of them anyway, and a lot are sooo dull it's beyond belief. If you haven't already heard it, it's here.




Another thing that happens tomorrow, is that I'm going to be an auntie again! And this time I'm gonna be the midwife too. So we'll welcome a little baby boy to the world, on the day 100 years since my grandpa was born. Cool huh?!

The sis in law is already installed at the hospital, and sent me a message earlier, that wouldn't it be cool to send this picture to everybody tomorrow after the baby's come. That would certainly be interesting.. lol

The next thing that happens tomorrow, is that my man's coming over, and he's staying until over next weekend. Haven't seen him for nearly 3 weeks, which is a looong time!
So I hope tomorrow will be an awesome day!

Don't panic

I'm still alive. Just in a non-blogging-vacuum, waiting for that white stuff on the ground to disappear.

About to go home from work, been a typical monday.

Here's my current view.

Have a nice day.

Merry christmas

Tis the season to be jolly and stuff.. So merry christmas to all.

Haven't found that christmas spirit yet, not sure if I'll find it this year at all. It's always like that when I'm working through the holidays.

The curse of working where I do I guess.

I've actually decorated my tree already, it looks lovely.

My boyfriend got me the tree. I was pondering wether getting one or not, then found out I'd give it a go, and it was too late to get a normal one. So I got a black and silver tree instead. It doesn't look too bad, I've got plenty of diode/led lights on, home made shabby chic cones and white/red balls. Not half bad, in my opinion.
Even got my gifts placed neatly underneath, all ready for christmas eve on friday.
But still not feeling that spirit.



What do you think? Is it any good?

My big fat greek holiday

First of all I apologize for the lack of blogs lately. I've had a serious case of writers block.

Well, that and the fact that I really feel like there's been nothing worth blogging about, mostly because I've been worn out from work.

Now I've had 3 weeks holiday, and am partially rejuvenated, so I'll give it a shot again.


First holiday week was spent in Oslo. I had an idea that I should eat more sushi, so off I went. Booked hotels and all, 3 nights in one, 1 at another. Spent too much money, didn't feel very relaxed at all, because the first hotel room was at a noisy street, and the second one was a smoking room, and all night I felt like throwing up at the smell.
Went to the Øyafestival for a day, to see a couple of gigs and pretend to be young again. It was raining cats and dogs that day, and I stood there, mid mud, but managed to get through 10 gigs before the day was over. So was pleased with that.

Then back home for a week. Attended a friends wedding, which was really nice.



Decided it was time to spend some days with my boyfriend, so packed my suitcase and headed to Narvik.

He was still working, so I just hung around there, doing nothing. Then on saturday we got up bright and early, and headed to the airport. Ahead of us was a week in the sun sun sun, which we sadly can't say we have had much of up here this summer.

Destination Crete

The place was tranquil and awesome, I really enjoyed every minute of the week there. Sun, warmth, hotel pool, beach, downtown with restaurants and all kinds of crazy gadgets..



We ate, we bathed, sunbathed, caught a few freckles, a burnt wrist and a few fried shoulders.. (everything quite normal), but most of all, we relaxed and loved every minute of it.
I can honestly say I felt like a new, fresh person after 1 day down there. Exactly what the doctor prescribed.

Will now put a few photos from my trip, didn't take many, but I guess a select few are suitable for blog posting.


Our hotel area


Downtown Chania


Market with all kinds of wooden instruments


Restaurant street and my man


Sunset


The Chania lighthouse in the Venetian Harbour

Nights again..

My energetic eurosong blogging fell through due to lack of interest, I tweeted through it all instead. I had my favorites, they didn't win, but ended up pretty high in the rankings anyway. Which was great.

Norway didn't do very well this year. Partly because the song was super dull and 10 a dozen, partly because the performance was a bit shaky.
Don't think anybody really was too sad anyway, they were probably happy to not have to dig into the wallet of the state of Norway one more year hehe.

Anyway. One week has passed since the final, and it's all forgotten.

What's next?

Well, currently I'm on another nightshift spree. 3 nights in a row. Even though it's now 6 weeks between them, they seem to come far too often. I don't want to complaint of course, people are far worse off than me, and I have a job I love and cherish. But the nights are what sucks about it.
I've read it cuts years off my life.. we'll see about that. I'm not planning on becoming 230 years old anyway.

I'm not very active in my bloggings these days. Not because I don't have stuff happening nor don't have time. It's just a regular draught. One of those "blast, do I have to turn on the pc again today-draughts".

It might get better, or it might not. Time will show.
At least I'm not blogging to say I've nothing to blog about, like some. Because that's just silly.
Don't you have anything to blog about, then DON'T BLOG! And if you don't have time to blog, don't blog "I don't have time to blog". You're already there! Instead, put something useful in there.
Ok, rant over.

Now offski to find a random pic to put in my post, because every posting deserves a picture.

Another eurosong final approaces..

Tomorrow it all starts off. One year ago from about now, Norway was extatic, because we had finally won. It had happened only 2 times before. Actually, we're more used to getting the infamous NIL points than winning.

The consequences were of course, that this year the final is in Oslo. This has caused some controversy, because the money to pay the party has to come from somewhere. My boyfriend is especially annoyed, because NRK sold the rights to the FIFA world cup to afford Eurosong hehe. I'm not that bothered, it's not like we can't see fotball on any other channel if neccessary.

Just about every newspaper, online and the street editions, tv and got knows what has Eurosong material more than just a bit.

What makes me laugh, is the recaps of horrible songs through the years. Like this one..


One of the 5 songs voted MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS by an expert commentator on an online newspaper.

Some "experts" goes a bit overboard too.. Some aren't afraid to use themselves in the promotion for sure!!

So tomorrow it all kicks off, the first semi final, then the next one on thursday, and the big final on saturday. Will try to watch it all, although the quality of the songs are absolutely varying hehe. There's a chance I might do a follow up blog later this week, if I feel up for it, to recap the semi finals. Don't have much else planned so.. Enjoy! Here's Norway's entry. Not a big fan, but it's ok to not win again hehe.

Lisa does things you never thought she would

Everybody who knows me, knows that kitchen is not my area. Sure, I have my safe things I can produce, just because I have to eat. But I'm hardly ever doing anything from scratch.

But for quite some time now, I've been thinking of making this cake. I got the recipe of a friend of mine over a year ago, and not being a top chef, it's been sitting on my fridge for ages.


But finally I got around to testing it. Originally it was meant for a family gathering on friday, but that fell through, so instead I made it for yesterday, our national holiday, 17.mai.


Here's the picture story of how Lisa tried to make something out of something else hehe.





First I purchased a bunch of various ingredients, this is for sure no cheap cake. Think I paid about 300 NOK for the ingredients, or about $50 and then some.
There's creme cheese, 700 cc's of it actually. Organic sugar, eggs, vanilla sticks, cinnamon, vanilla sugar, butter and digestive crackers. That's what I remember.

The first thing I had to do, was to crush 15 crackers. I don't own a food processor, so went to my folks to borrow some of their utensils.
It was easier said than done.




Then I mixed in some melted butter, and spread the dough on the platter. In the oven it went, and after 15 minutes it looked like this



Time for the creme cheese. I poured it all in a big bowl, put in the vanilla sugar, the seeds of a vanilla stick and sugar. Found my old hand mixer, and started blending it all together. Then eggs went in, one by one.









Poured it on top of the baked cracker bottom, and into the oven it went again.







I'm not very tidy, so stuff filled up on my bench while I was doing my "magic" hehe.



When the cake was in the oven for the 2nd time, I realized that I only had bought half the amount needed for the topping. Thankfully the stores were still open, and the cake had to bake for at least 1 hour. So I went on a storm spree.
I came back, still had 15 minutes to wait, and then the cake looked like this.


By the looks of it, I'd went a bit overboard with the butter haha.

Then it was time for the sourcream/sugar/vanilla mix






5 more minutes of baking, and here's the result of the ready baked cake.




So now, just dig into it, you say? Oh no!!
Now it had to cool down, then spend 3 days in the fridge to set. And to wait for may 17th to arrive. I spent the days sneaking on it, trying to remove what's around it, with the result that I kind of wrecked the cake.

I bought some physalis decorative berries, and was finally ready for the big day.

Took the cake with my down to my brother, had a nice barbecue, and then it was time for THE cake.









I made strawberry coulis too, so we could have with the cake, to bring a bit of sourness into the sweet that's in the cake.

Looking nice, doesn't it?